Rich Funke

Rich Funke
In the 2014 Labor Day parade in Rochester, New York
Member of the New York Senate from the 55th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2015
Preceded by	Ted O'Brien
Personal details
Born	(1949-01-30) January 30, 1949 Batavia, New York
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Residence	Fairport, New York
Alma mater	Adelphi University
Occupation	Newsreader, journalist, anchorman

Rich Funke (born January 30, 1949) is an American journalist and politician who is currently the state senator for the 55th district of New York.

Funke is a Republican who was elected in November 2014 when he defeated Democratic incumbent Ted O'Brien.^[1] Prior to his election, Funke had for almost 40 years been a news anchor and sports director for WHEC-TV, the NBC affiliate station in Rochester, New York.^[2]

Background

Funke is a former radio disk jockey, radio and television journalist and television sports reporter and news anchor in Rochester, NY. He began his career in broadcasting at WBTA in Batavia, New York. From there he worked as a news reader and reporter at WHAM in Rochester before moving in 1972 to WAXC a top 40 station as its news director. After WAXC he was brought on as a sports director at WHEC-TV in 1974. After a stint at WTVJ-TV in Miami, Florida from 1980 to 1981 he returned to Rochester and his previous position at WHEC-TV. In 2005, Funke became the primary anchor of the evening news at 5, 6, 7 and 11 p.m. at WHEC-TV before retiring in 2012 as one of the main faces of the station.

Political career

In March, 2014 Funke announced his candidacy for the 55th senate district seat against incumbent Democrat Ted O'Brien.^[3] After a closely contested race between the two candidates Funke defeated O' Brien with 56% of the vote^[4]

Funke graduated from Adelphi University with a bachelor's degree in business.

Awards and honors

Funke received the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for Television for his coverage of the Rochester Americans in 1977 and 1986.

Funke was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in December, 2012 shortly after his retirement.

On December 27, 2014, the Rochester Lancers of the Major Arena Soccer League will induct Funke into the Rochester Lancers Wall of Fame as one of Rochester's "soccer pioneers". Funke was the television play-by-play announcer for the original Rochester Lancers of the North American Soccer League.^[5]

References

External links

• District 55
• Campaign Website